An Elkridge man has been charged with arson in connection to an incident in which a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a tavern, Howard County police said.

Police said the device did not hit the building and was quickly extinguished in the street by employees from the restaurant.

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Police said Kenneth Norman Conway, 24, was charged with arson, property damage, and use of a destructive device and possession of incendiary material.

Officers were called to the Diamondback Tavern in the 3700 block of Old Columbia Pike in Ellicott City around 1:20 a.m. Friday for a report of a malicious burning.

Employees told police that a man pulled up in a car and threw a Molotov cocktail at the front of the business. There were approximately 35 people inside the establishment at the time.

The burning object struck a sidewalk railing and bounced into the street where it caused a small fire that staff members extinguished. No one was injured.

Police said employees recognized the man as a patron who was thrown out for being disorderly about an hour before the incident. They identified Conway. Employees also provided police with a description of the suspect’s vehicle, a gray sedan hatchback.

Upon further investigation, officers were led to the suspect’s address where a vehicle matching the description was parked in the driveway. While officers were conducting their investigation, another vehicle drove up and parked in the driveway.

Police said the driver, later identified as Conway, matched the description of the suspect provided by Diamondback employees. He was taken into custody without incident.